This is what happens when the Bucs get Chris Godwin the football Two weeks after he failed to catch a pass in a win over the Panthers, it's fair to ask: When are the Bucs going to stop throwing the ball to Chris Godwin? The wide receiver certainly has stated his case, and he closed it in Sunday's 34-20 win over the Packers. Godwin led the Bucs by posting season highs of 10 catches and 155 yards. Though he didn't score a touchdown, he made the biggest plays in the game to set up Baker Mayfield's four scoring strikes. Afterward, Godwin was beaming about playing his best game in one of the most important ones of the season. "It feels good to have a big game," he said. "I think mostly because I understand what it means for the team in a big game like this coming through in a great environment. Playing at Lambeau is pretty damn cool, and to be able to come here and put up a big game and help set up some other guys as well and leave with a victory and an important one, it makes it that much sweeter." Nobody will forget that Godwin had meetings with offensive coordinator Dave Canales and head coach Todd Bowles after he failed to catch a pass in a 21-18 win over Carolina on Dec. 3. His wife, Mariah, accused Bowles of lying about Godwin's usage by saying he was in and out of the lineup because he had been dealing with a neck injury. But all that mattered Sunday was that Godwin helped the Bucs convert seven of 11 third-down situations. "The guy is just so consistent, man," Mayfield said. "I can't say enough about him. He's a true professional. He's never complained, never done any of that. Just done everything he needs to do, and (Sundy) he was ballin'. Just some clutch catches, that's for sure. Didn't get in the end zone but was definitely the guy to keep the chains moving consistently (Sunday) and set up everybody else ‚so I couldn't be happier for Chris." Godwin surpassed the 60-catch milestone for the fifth consecutive season. He is one of only eight NFL players with 60 or more in each of the past five seasons (2019-23). It was Godwin's 20th career regular-season 100-yard receiving performance. He had seven receptions for 108 yards in the first half alone. "I think me and Baker were connecting," Godwin said. "Dave (Canales) was calling some really good plays. But I think the ball was going all over the place. We had a lot of guys that popped up that were making plays. (David) Moore had a real good play for us, and Mike (Evans) had a big play for us. Rachaad (White) was running the ball well. Chase (Edmonds) came in. The offensive line. I think it was a total team victory." Maybe Godwin just loves Lambeau Field. In his last two appearances there, dating back to the NFC Championship Game following the 2020 season, Godwin has a combined 15 receptions for 265 yards, 132.5 per game. "We understand the situation that we're in, and we needed to come in here and win this game and win the rest of them, right?" Godwin said. "We're playing for our playoff lives, and I think you kind of saw that throughout the game." The Bucs entered the game wanting to continue their success on the ground, and they rushed for 99 yards as a team. But Godwin's performance set the tone in the passing game. "Unbelievable," Mayfield said. "Obviously, the linemen want to run the ball a little bit more, but when you're having explosive passes like that. We ran the ball when we needed to so, I'm proud of that. Dave called the game, set up some looks to make it happen. We're getting better, and that's what we need this time of year." Rick Stroud, Tampa Bay Times, published 18 December 2023